Author Archives: bassmansam

Camellia sinensis – Tea

Posted on August 26, 2012 by bassmansam

Tea drinking in Europe appears to have started in Portugal and was only adopted much later in Britain however Britain is now thought of as the tea drinking capital of Europe. This is reflected in our culture, with tea becoming … Continue reading →

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Asplenium nidus – Bird’s nest fern

Posted on August 25, 2012 by bassmansam

Of the Aspleniaceae family, from Australia and Asia, this fern grows to a large size! Up to 2m in diameter, and occurs commonly as an epiphyte on large trees.  It is sometimes called a litter basket fern because it’s cone … Continue reading →

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Chlorophytum comosum – Spider plant

Posted on August 25, 2012 by bassmansam

Within the glasshouse we have two variegated forms of Chlorophytum comosum. C.comosum ‘Vittatum’ with mid-green leaves and a broad central white stripe and C.comosum ‘Variegatum’ with darker green leaves and a white margin.

Posted in Africa, Species | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Averrhoa carambola – Starfruit

Posted on August 23, 2012 by bassmansam

Carambola or starfruit is the fruit of Averrhoa carambola in the Oxalidaceae. It is a popular food, originating from South-east asia and the South pacific. The fruit are ridged with five edges so that when cut the cross section resembles … Continue reading →

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Abelmoschus esculentus – Okra

Posted on August 22, 2012 by bassmansam

Okra is a member of the Malvaceae along with cotton and Hibiscus.  It is grown as an annual crop from which the unripe fruit are harvested.

Posted in Asia, Crops, Species | 1 Comment

Whitefly and Parasitoid wasps

Posted on August 2, 2012 by bassmansam

Whiteflies, of the family Aleyrudidae, are insects that belong to the same order as Aphids, Hemiptera. These small bugs are about 1-2mm long in adult form, with two pairs of white wings. Most of their time is spent on the … Continue reading →

Posted in Integrated Pest Management, Students | 1 Comment

Pest Update

Posted on August 1, 2012 by bassmansam

Things have developed quite a bit since the last time I sampled. Expecting to see a few aphids on the Okra and surrounding plants I was shocked to find loads of mealy bug all over everything!? Well maybe not over … Continue reading →

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Aphids and…reproduction

Posted on July 26, 2012 by bassmansam

Aphids- of the superfamily Aphidoidea- are insects that have caused a great level of destruction and fretting to many a gardeners efforts. Alternatively we can view them as a highly successful, intriguing group of organisms. An interesting aspect of aphids is that they have a great … Continue reading →

Posted in Integrated Pest Management, Students | 2 Comments

Pests!

Posted on July 18, 2012 by bassmansam

Good afternoon web-browsers. As this is my first post I feel it necessary to introduce myself. My name is Samuel Hickling and I shall be working for Dr.Culham on the final year project of a Zoology BSc. My given task … Continue reading →

Posted in Integrated Pest Management, Students | 1 Comment